| David Rogers To Be Grand Marshall | 39th Annual Governor's Cup on November 20th at New Smyrna Speedway
By Jane Smith
 Samsula, Fla. (November 15, 2004) The 39th Annual Florida's Governor's Cup is set to run November 20th at New Smyrna Speedway. The Governor's Cup is one of two prestigious races known far and wide in the racing community and is still one of the most desired wins of many a racer.
This year's Grand Marshall is well known and loved Florida racer David Rogers of Longwood. Rogers, who was hurt earlier this year at SpeedWorld, will return to the wheel of his No. 11
TM Ranch Dodge in 2005 but this year will take a different seat for the Cup. Rogers has two Cup wins under his belt and knows the desire of the racers for this prestigious win in Florida.
"This will be a different point of view for me this year as Grand Marshall. Instead of being told "gentlemen start your engines", I will be the teller of the most desired command in racing. I am very proud and pleased to be the 2004 Grand Marshall for the Governor's Cup." said Rogers when he accepted the invitation.
Governor Haydon Burns commissioned the Governor's Cup in 1965 to pay tribute to Al Keller, long time promoter of Florida stock car racing and was killed suddenly while racing. Wayne Reutimann was the first winner ever of the Governor's Cup which was run at Golden Gate Speedway in Tampa until it's temporary closing for environmental reasons.
From Golden Gate, the race moved to Sunshine Speedway for a year before returning back to Golden Gate from 1980 to 1983. The Cup went thru a few uncertain years before Clyde Hart offered New Smyrna Speedway in 1987 to become the permanent home for the Florida's Governor's Cup.
When the first Cup race was run at New Smyrna Speedway back in 1988, it was Dick Anderson who won the race followed by Daniel Keene, Bobby Gill, Joe Nemechek, David Russell, Leroy Porter, Lee Faulk, Jeff Earnhardt, Wayne Anderson and Duke Southard.
Dick Anderson repeated his win once again in 1989. Bobby Gill visited Winner's Circle in 1990 and 91 followed by Pete Orr in 92 and 93. David Rogers won in 95 and 97 with Jack Cook the big winner in 96.
In 1998, the Governor's Cup was sponsored by Race Rock and was taped for television as Billy Bigley Jr. won the Cup for his wife's birthday. In second place was a very young B.J. McLeod followed by his teacher Pete Orr. This was just one of a few times that the student actually beat the teacher at his own game.
Wayne Anderson won in 1999 and 2003. Jimmy Cope won the honors in 2000 followed by James Powell in 2001 and Mike Fritts in 2002. This year will prove to be no different than the following past years as the Governor's Cup is still the race to win and see your name on the Golden Cup. Each year the winner's name is added just like the Daytona 500 trophy that sits on display at Daytona USA.
Governor Jeb Bush was the Grand Marshall of the 2001 Cup race and it was then that all the grandeur returned to the Governor's Cup. Governor Bush was advised not to come since it was only a few months pass the September 11 disaster in New York.
 Florida Governor Jeb Bush with Senator Bill Posey giving remarks prior to the 2001 Cup race.
But the Governor had given his word and he was not about to back down on it. He came, he saw, and he stole the hearts of the fans as he told them it was time to get back down to basics and today it was Florida short track racing.'
In 2002 well known author Patrick Smith was the Grand Marshall as Governor Bush was unable to attend. Smith, being a novice at this racing thing, was very impressed. Fans, knowing in advance that Smith was the Grand Marshall, brought his books for autographs and the night went off well.
In 2003, State Senator Daniel Webster was the Grand Marshall and was admired by all in his Pennzoil driver's suit.
This year's Grand Marshall is well known and loved Florida racer David Rogers of Longwood. Rogers, who was hurt earlier this year at SpeedWorld, will return to the wheel of his No. 11
TM Ranch Dodge in 2005 but this year will take a different seat for the Cup. Rogers has two Cup wins under his belt and knows the desire of the racers for this prestigious win in Florida.
"This will be a different point of view for me this year as Grand Marshall. Instead of being told "gentlemen start your engines", I will be the teller of the most desired command in racing. I am very proud and pleased to be the 2004 Grand Marshall for the Governor's Cup." said Rogers when he accepted the invitation.
A large field of Florida's best is expected including Travis Kittleson, Wayne Anderson, Sean Murphy, Brian Finney, Jonny Kay, Mike Fritts, James Powell III, Fain Skinner, Scotty Crockett, Rich Pratt, Mike Cope, Jimmy Cope, Mike Garvey, Billy Bigley Jr., and many, many more.
There will be an open practice for the Super Lates on Friday, November 19, from 5 to 10 p.m. Pit gates will open at 12 noon on Saturday with qualifying for the 39th Annual Governor's Cup at 5 p.m. with the Florida Mini Stock Challenge qualifying following. Racing will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Grandstands will open at 5 p.m. with general admission $20.00, $15.00 students and seniors, children 11 and under free. New Smyrna Speedway is located between I-95 and I-4 between State Road 44 and 415 eight miles west of New Smyrna in beautiful Samsula, Florida.
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